DAMIEN Johnson today branded Robbie Savage an "idiot" and revealed that he felt like sorting him out.

DAMIEN Johnson today branded Robbie Savage an "idiot" and revealed that he felt like sorting him out.

The controversial ex-Blues star infuriated Johnson with disparaging comments about the club on television.

Savage said that part of him was glad that Blues were relegated last season, and that he left to join Blackburn Rovers because of Mark Bowen's coaching ability.

Johnson saw that as a slap in the face to manager Steve Bruce's current number two Eric Black, a coach he holds in high regard.

Savage made his comments on Sky Sports when he was a studio guest for the Blues-Liverpool League Cup tie a month ago.

Johnson has kept his own counsel until now as he has been recovering from a fractured jaw.

"I was at home watching the game and there was no need for Sav to stir it up like he did," said the Blues captain. "People say Sav's Sav, but he's just an idiot. I was getting so angry that I felt like driving down there to the studio myself...

"He was asked whether he was pleased that we got relegated and he sat there, smirking, and said: 'yes, a part of me was glad'.

"Then he started on the Mark Bowen one and I thought 'what's all this about?' I was really annoyed. There was no need for him to start going on like he did."

There is a theory among some critics that Blues have not been the same since Bruce sacked Bowen in the summer of 2004. Savage played up to this.

It got Johnson's blood boiling: "Blackie is as good a signing as the gaffer has ever made.

"He probably won't like me saying what I'm saying, he will probably be embarrassed. But it's about time someone spoke up for him because of this kind of rubbish.

"As much respect as I have for Mark Bowen, Blackie is as good a coach as I have worked for. All the lads rate him and he is very, very good at his job. It hasn't surprised me that other clubs have wanted him.

Colchester wanted to make him their manager and Hibernian were interested.

Their characters like chalk and cheese, Johnson and Savage were always uncomfortable team-mates at Blues.